1.Mechanism of Huayu Jiedu Prescription in Preventing and Treating Cerebral Ischemia Injury by Regulating NETosis After Acute Cerebral Infarction with Blood Stasis and Toxin Syndrome
Wuchaonan LIU ; Dingxiang LI ; Le YANG ; Jing LIU ; Shengping LUO ; Fang LEI ; Hanlin LEI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):50-59
ObjectiveTo investigate the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury with blood stasis and toxin syndrome and to explore the protective effects of Huayu Jiedu prescription (HYJDP) on neutrophil extracellular trap-related cell death (NETosis) in cerebral ischemic injury following acute cerebral infarction. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=12 per group): sham operation (Sham) group, blood stasis and toxin model (Model) group, low-, medium-, and high-dose HYJDP groups (HYJDP-L, HYJDP-M, and HYJDP-H; 9, 18, and 36 g·kg-1, respectively), and butylphthalide (NBP) group (0.06 g·kg-1). Except for the Sham group, rats in all other groups were subjected to carrageenan/dry yeast combined with a modified intraluminal filament method to establish a focal cerebral ischemia model of the middle cerebral artery with blood stasis and toxin syndrome. Neurological function was evaluated at 24 h after modeling using the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score. Cerebral infarction rate was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Pathological morphology of brain tissue was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes (MPO-DNA), and citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3). Protein expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), protein kinase B (p-Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), sequestosome 1 (p62), and CitH3 in brain tissue was detected by Western blot. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the expression of neutrophil-specific marker Ly6G, CitH3, and neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the Sham group, neurological deficit scores and cerebral infarction rates in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01 for both). HE staining showed varying degrees of neuronal degeneration and necrosis, characterized by blurred neuronal structures, nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation, cytoplasmic dissolution into a vacuolated reticular pattern, and mild glial cell proliferation. ELISA results showed that serum levels of IL-8, MPO-DNA, and CitH3 were significantly increased (P<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated decreased expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, and p62, while CitH3 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). IF results showed an increased number of NETs+ cells and a significant decrease in NeuN+ cells (P<0.01). Compared with the Model group, neurological deficit scores in the HYJDP-H group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and cerebral infarction rates in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01). HE staining showed that brain tissue damage was markedly alleviated in the HYJDP-H group. ELISA results showed that levels of IL-8, MPO-DNA, and CitH3 were significantly decreased in the HYJDP-M, HYJDP-H, and NBP groups (P<0.01). Western blot analysis showed that expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, and p62 was significantly increased in the HYJDP-H and NBP groups, while CitH3 expression was significantly reduced in all drug intervention groups (P<0.01). IF results showed that the number of NETs+ cells was significantly decreased and the number of NeuN⁺ cells was significantly increased in all drug intervention groups (P<0.01). ConclusionNETs may be the material basis of the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemic injury characterized by blood stasis and toxin. HYJDP can regulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and NETosis-related products, alleviate cerebral ischemic injury caused by autophagy-dependent NETosis, and thereby exert a neuroprotective effect.
2.Effect of Huayu Jiedu Prescription on Oxygen-glucose Deprivation-induced Injury in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Based on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Autophagy Related Pathway
Xun PENG ; Yujia LI ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):111-121
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huayu Jiedu prescription on brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury and to explore its intervention mechanisms. MethodsThe cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine the optimal OGD duration and the effective concentration of Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum. Cells were randomly divided into the blank serum medium group (KBXQ), model group (OGD), HYXQ group (OGD + Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum), and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (OGD + 3-MA). Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. The numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes in cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis rate was detected using the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and Occludin were detected by immunofluorescence. The permeability of the cell monolayer was also measured. Cells were further randomly divided into the KBXQ group, model group (OGD), HYXQ group, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002) group (OGD + LY294002), and HYXQ + LY294002 group (OGD + Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum + LY294002). Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of the autophagy-related key molecule yeast Atg6 homolog 1 (Beclin1), LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, selective autophagy adaptor protein (p62), Occludin, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, PI3K, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), Akt, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and mTOR. ResultsOGD for 6 h was selected as the optimal modeling condition, and 5% was determined as the optimal volume fraction of Huayu Jiedu prescription-containing serum. Compared with the KBXQ group, the model group showed obvious cell damage under the inverted microscope, and transmission electron microscopy revealed markedly increased numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Cell viability was significantly decreased (P<0.01), apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.01), LC3 fluorescence intensity was significantly increased (P<0.01), Occludin fluorescence intensity was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and monolayer permeability was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, cell damage in the HYXQ group and the 3-MA group was significantly improved, the numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes were markedly reduced, cell viability was significantly increased (P<0.01), apoptosis rate was significantly decreased (P<0.01), LC3 fluorescence intensity was significantly decreased (P<0.01), Occludin fluorescence intensity was significantly increased (P<0.01), and monolayer permeability was reduced (P<0.05). Western blot results showed that, compared with the KBXQ group, the model group exhibited significantly increased expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ (P<0.01), while the expression levels of p62, Occludin, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HYXQ group showed significantly decreased expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ (P<0.01) and significantly increased expression of p62, Occludin, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR (P<0.01). In the LY294002 group, Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ expression were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), whereas the expression levels of p62, Occludin, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the LY294002 group, the HYXQ + LY294002 group showed significantly decreased expression of Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ (P<0.01) and significantly increased expression of p62, Occludin, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR (P<0.01). ConclusionHuayu Jiedu prescription has a protective effect on BMECs after OGD injury, which may be achieved by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy-related signaling pathway and inhibiting excessive autophagy, thereby protecting Occludin protein expression and endothelial barrier function.
3.Effects and Mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in Sodium Palmitate-Induced Lipid Deposition in HepG2 Cells
Yixuan LIU ; Haoyang WU ; Jingjing YANG ; Yuzhe CAI ; Zheng LUO ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):72-78
Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.Methods The effect of sodium palmitate and lyophilized powder of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium on the viability of HepG2 cells was determined by the CCK-8 method to determine the subsequent dosage administered.The HepG2 cells were divided into blank group,model group,pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium low-,medium-and high-dosage group,the lipid deposition model of HepG2 cells was established using 350 μmol/L sodium palmitate,the medication group were given pioglitazone and low-,medium-and high-dosage of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium(100,250,500 μg/mL)for 12 h respectively.The intracellular lipid deposition was observed by Nile red staining and BODIPY493/503 fluorescent probe staining,the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant of cell culture medium were detected by ELISA,Western blot was used to detect PI3K,Akt,sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1(SREBP-1),fatty acid synthase(FAS),Bcl-2,Bax protein expression,qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL)and CD36.Results Compared with the blank group,the lipid deposition of HepG2 cells in the model group increased,TNF-α and IL-6 contents in the supernatant of cell culture medium significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax in cells significantly increased,while the protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA expression of ATGL significantly decreased,and the mRNA expression of CD36 significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the intracellular lipid deposition of the pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium groups improved to varying degrees,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant decreased,the expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax proteins decreased,the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased,the expression of ATGL mRNA increased,and the expression of CD36 mRNA decreased,with statistical significance in pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium high-dosage group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium may ameliorate sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 model cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/SREBP-1/FAS signaling pathway and affecting triacylglycerol metabolism.
4.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on Short-chain Fatty Acids and G Protein-coupled Receptor 109A in Diabetic Atherosclerotic Mice
Jing CHEN ; Qin WU ; Yanan ZHANG ; Jingjing YANG ; Yanling CHEN ; Wuchaonan LIU ; Fang LEI ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(3):76-82
Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)and G protein-coupled receptor 109A(GPR109A)in diabetic atherosclerotic mice;To explore its mechanism of improving diabetic atherosclerosis.Methods ApoE-/-mice were fed with high sugar and high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish atherosclerosis model of diabetes.After modeling,the mice were randomly divided into the model group,Western medicine group(metformin hydrochloride+atorvastatin),and Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(19,38,76 g/kg);and the other C57BL/6J mice were set as the control group,with 6 mice in each group.Each group was given solution for gavage,once a day for 4 weeks.Blood glucose of the mice were detected,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of the aorta,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C contents were detected by fully automated biochemistry analyzers,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum HbA1c,fasting insulin(FINS),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,gas chromatography was used to detect the content of intestinal SCFAs,and RT qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR109A in ileal tissue and nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65 in aortic tissue,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,obvious plaques and inflammatory cells infiltration were seen in the aorta of the model group,the blood glucose and serum HbA1c,TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α contents increased(P<0.01),FINS and HDL-C content decreased(P<0.01),intestinal acetate,propionate,butyric acid,isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid contents decreased(P<0.01),GPR109A mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue decreased,NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in aortic tissue increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the aortic plaque area and inflammatory cells infiltration were significantly improved in each drug intervention group,the blood glucose and serum HbA1c,TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α contents decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the FINS and HDL-C content increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),intestinal acetic,propionic,butyric acid,isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid contents increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),GPR109A mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue increased and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue decreased decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription can improve glucolipid metabolism and inflammatory response in diabetic atherosclerotic mice,which may be related to regulating SCFAs/GPR109A pathway.
5.Mechanism of Modified Erxian Decoction Regulating Perimenopausal Syndrome via SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH Signaling Pathway
Ruiyu HUANG ; Fang LEI ; Wuchaonan LIU ; Jingjing YANG ; Qianru ZENG ; Shengping LUO ; Yanling CHEN ; Mengge ZHANG ; Fanshun SHEN ; Yihui DENG ; Dingxiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(22):51-62
ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kisspeptin)/gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region (ARC) of the hypothalamus, so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method, with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling, including a sham operation group, a model group, an estradiol valerate group (0.09 mg∙kg-1∙d-1), high-, medium-, and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups (7.614, 3.807,1.903 5 g∙kg-1∙d-1), with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-, medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days, and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1, Kisspeptin, kisspeptin receptor (GPR54), and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight (P0.01), reduced wet weight and index of uterus (P0.01), endometrial thinning or atrophy, glandular atrophy, and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally, serum levels of E2 and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased (P0.01). Serum levels of FSH, LH, and GnRH, the expression of Kisspeptin, GPR54, and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus, and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased (P0.01). Compared with the model group, the estradiol valerate group and the high-, medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight, serum levels of FSH, LH, and GnRH, and expression of Kisspeptin, GPR54, and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary (P0.05, P0.01) and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus, serum level of E2, and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus (P0.05, P0.01). In addition, they showed thickened endometrium, increased number of endometrial glands, and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets, and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus, the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway, the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary, the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins, and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.
6.Effects and Mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in Sodium Palmitate-Induced Lipid Deposition in HepG2 Cells
Yixuan LIU ; Haoyang WU ; Jingjing YANG ; Yuzhe CAI ; Zheng LUO ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):72-78
Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.Methods The effect of sodium palmitate and lyophilized powder of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium on the viability of HepG2 cells was determined by the CCK-8 method to determine the subsequent dosage administered.The HepG2 cells were divided into blank group,model group,pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium low-,medium-and high-dosage group,the lipid deposition model of HepG2 cells was established using 350 μmol/L sodium palmitate,the medication group were given pioglitazone and low-,medium-and high-dosage of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium(100,250,500 μg/mL)for 12 h respectively.The intracellular lipid deposition was observed by Nile red staining and BODIPY493/503 fluorescent probe staining,the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant of cell culture medium were detected by ELISA,Western blot was used to detect PI3K,Akt,sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1(SREBP-1),fatty acid synthase(FAS),Bcl-2,Bax protein expression,qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL)and CD36.Results Compared with the blank group,the lipid deposition of HepG2 cells in the model group increased,TNF-α and IL-6 contents in the supernatant of cell culture medium significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax in cells significantly increased,while the protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA expression of ATGL significantly decreased,and the mRNA expression of CD36 significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the intracellular lipid deposition of the pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium groups improved to varying degrees,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant decreased,the expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax proteins decreased,the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased,the expression of ATGL mRNA increased,and the expression of CD36 mRNA decreased,with statistical significance in pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium high-dosage group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium may ameliorate sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 model cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/SREBP-1/FAS signaling pathway and affecting triacylglycerol metabolism.
7.Effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on Short-chain Fatty Acids and G Protein-coupled Receptor 109A in Diabetic Atherosclerotic Mice
Jing CHEN ; Qin WU ; Yanan ZHANG ; Jingjing YANG ; Yanling CHEN ; Wuchaonan LIU ; Fang LEI ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(3):76-82
Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)and G protein-coupled receptor 109A(GPR109A)in diabetic atherosclerotic mice;To explore its mechanism of improving diabetic atherosclerosis.Methods ApoE-/-mice were fed with high sugar and high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish atherosclerosis model of diabetes.After modeling,the mice were randomly divided into the model group,Western medicine group(metformin hydrochloride+atorvastatin),and Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(19,38,76 g/kg);and the other C57BL/6J mice were set as the control group,with 6 mice in each group.Each group was given solution for gavage,once a day for 4 weeks.Blood glucose of the mice were detected,HE staining was used to observe the morphology of the aorta,TG,TC,LDL-C and HDL-C contents were detected by fully automated biochemistry analyzers,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum HbA1c,fasting insulin(FINS),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,gas chromatography was used to detect the content of intestinal SCFAs,and RT qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of GPR109A in ileal tissue and nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65 in aortic tissue,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,obvious plaques and inflammatory cells infiltration were seen in the aorta of the model group,the blood glucose and serum HbA1c,TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α contents increased(P<0.01),FINS and HDL-C content decreased(P<0.01),intestinal acetate,propionate,butyric acid,isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid contents decreased(P<0.01),GPR109A mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue decreased,NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in aortic tissue increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the aortic plaque area and inflammatory cells infiltration were significantly improved in each drug intervention group,the blood glucose and serum HbA1c,TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α contents decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the FINS and HDL-C content increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),intestinal acetic,propionic,butyric acid,isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid contents increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),GPR109A mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue increased and NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in ileal tissue decreased decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription can improve glucolipid metabolism and inflammatory response in diabetic atherosclerotic mice,which may be related to regulating SCFAs/GPR109A pathway.
8.Effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on Inflammatory Injury of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by High Glucose and LPS Based on GPR43/β-arrestin-2/IκBα/NF-κB Pathway
Lanyu PENG ; Jingxin YAO ; Yujia LI ; Dingxiang LI ; Xun LIU ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):64-74
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai prescription (ZJTP) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) damaged by high glucose combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MethodThe survival rate of cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the optimal injury concentration and action time of LPS, as well as the optimal action concentration of ZJTP drug-containing serum. HUVECs were divided into a blank control group, a model group, a ZJTP drug-containing serum group, and an SCFA mixed liquid group. ELISA was used to detect the level of endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and TNF-α. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of G protein-coupled receptor43 (GPR43), β-suppressor protein-2 (β-arrestin-2), nuclear factor-κB suppressor α (IκBα), and nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65). The nucleation of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunofluorescence staining (IF). The role of GPR43 in the regulation of inflammatory injury was observed by means of small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA). The cells after intervention were divided into an empty carrier group, a ZJTP drug-containing serum group, a Si-GPR43 group, and a Si-GPR43 + ZJTP drug-containing serum group. The content of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was detected by ELISA. The protein expression of pathways was detected by Western blot. IF was used to observe the nucleation of NF-κB p65. ResultThe optimal molding condition was 1 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h. The optimal drug intervention condition was 5% ZJTP drug-containing serum for 24 h. Compared with the blank control group, the content of ET-1 in the model group was significantly increased, and the content of NO was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The levels of inflammatory factors were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly decreased, while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased (P<0.01). NF-κB p65 protein was transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of ET-1 in the ZJTP drug-containing serum group was decreased, and the content of NO was increased (P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors decreased (P<0.05). The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were increased, while the expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were decreased (P<0.05). The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the intranuclear to the extranuclear decreased (P<0.01). The mechanism study showed that compared with the Si-GPR43 group, the content of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly decreased after treatment with ZJTP drug-containing serum (P<0.01). The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionZJTP has a protective effect on HUVECs with high glucose and LPS-induced inflammatory injury, which may be related to the regulation of GPR43/β-arrestin-2/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.
9.Analysis on Research Hotspots and Trend of TCM in Regulating Nuclear Factor-κB from 2013 to 2022
Hanlin LEI ; Dingxiang LI ; Jingjing YANG ; Yuzhe CAI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(9):79-86
Objective To analyze the research trends and frontier of TCM regulation of NF-κB;To provide reference for related research.Methods Relevant literature about TCM regulation of NF-κB was retrieved from CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,CBM and Web of Science from January 1,2013 to December 31,2022.VOSviewer 1.6.19 and CiteSpace 6.2.R4 software were used for visualization analysis on authors,institutions and keywords.Results Totally 3 728 articles in Chinese and 995 in English were included,and the number of articles was on the rise.The Chinese and English articles involved 487 and 237 core authors,respectively,forming research teams represented by Yan Guanghai,Liu Jian,Wang Li,and Li Wei,Zhang Li,Zhang Yu,etc.There were 7 and 8 effective clusters in Chinese and English articles respectively.Keyword analysis showed that this research field mainly focused on diseases(inflammatory diseases,tumors,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,etc.),research methods(in vivo experiment,in vitro experiment)and intervention methods(acupuncture,TCM monomer,TCM compound,etc.).Conclusion TCM regulation of NF-κB mainly focuses on related diseases and intervention methods,and it is a research trend to find drug action targets and conduct experimental verification through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.
10.Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in pathogen detection of severe infections in children
Dingxiang LAI ; Yun PAN ; Ying ZHOU ; Danyan ZHUANG ; Haibo LI ; Jishan ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(11):1340-1344
Objective:To investigate the pathogenic spectrum of children with severe infection by metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. We collected 212 cases of severely infected pediatric patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Women and Children′s Hospital of Ningbo University from January 2022 to June 2023, and performed metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on 249 samples to analyze the pathogenic distribution characteristics.Results:Among the 249 samples of 212 children, the positive detection rate was 49.80% (124/249), including 14 cases of mixed infections, accounting for 6.60% (14/212). According to the mNGS technology, the pathogen distribution of severely infected children showed that the most common Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (3.61%, 9/249), Streptococcus pneumoniae (2.81%, 7/249), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.41%, 6/249); the most common Gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiella aerogenes (2.41%, 6/249), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.41%, 6/249), and Haemophilus parainfluenzae (2.01%, 5/249). The most common fungus was Candida parapsilosis (2.01%, 5/249). The most common virus was Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) (6.02%, 15/249), Human Herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1) (1.61%, 4/249), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (1.61%, 4/249). The most common atypical pathogen was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (3.21%, 8/249). Conclusions:This study explored the pathogen spectrum in severely infected pediatric patients through mNGS, contributing to the diagnosis of mixed infections or infections caused by uncommon or rare pathogens, which enables rapid and efficient identification of pathogens.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail